All the Arts, All the Time

Issue of anti-gay bullying comes to the Smithsonian

December 6, 2010 | 9:30
am

With good reason, the nation has been focused for several months on horrific stories of anti-gay bullying in American schools. The torment of kids by other kids, sometimes leading to the tragedy of suicide, prompted Congress to hold a briefing on the subject last month. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), who introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act, and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who introduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act, were among those who spoke.

How do kids learn to bully? Emulating their elders is one obvious way. And Washington, alas, is also one prominent platform where adults who should know better engage in the practice.